Dr. Steven Kuo is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the UCT Graduate School of Business(GSB), specialising in international political economy and China–Africa relations. His research and teaching examine the political economy of infrastructure, resource extraction, and development, with a particular focus on the role of Chinese actors in Africa.

He combines academic scholarship with practitioner experience in political risk and cross-border investment. He previously served as a Key Account Manager at Barloworld Equipment, working with Chinese firms in the mining and construction sectors across Southern Africa, and remains actively engaged in the mining machinery sector. Earlier, he was an Africa political risk analyst at Control Risks, advising Chinese companies operating on the continent.

Dr. Kuo has contributed to public debates on international affairs through his writing for Business Day, and has held academic appointments in both China and South Africa, including at Shanghai International Studies University. His work bridges academic and practitioner audiences in global political economy and Africa–Asia relations.